Not if they can withstand this sort of pressure, not if they can resist what most would find irresistible.

Not if they can even pull through after the most bizarrely violent moment of madness, or a mistimed challenge as some would have you believe, from a player who had majestically bestrode this epic contest.

After his wish for City to suffer injuries, karma came pretty sharpish for Paul Pogba.

No-one wore a more thunderous demeanour than Mourinho after Pogba left his studded impression on Hector Bellerin.

He knows that, against a City side even more attack-minded than this Arsenal one and far more clinical, Pogba is going to be missed sorely.

5 things we learned from the game

Jesse Lingard’s brace helped Manchester United overcome a Paul Pogba’s red card to seal a 3-1 win against Arsenal at the Emirates.

Jose Mourinho’s side took the lead after just four minutes when Antonio Valencia took advantage of a poor Laurent Koscielny pass to slot an opening goal past Petr Cech.

The visitors doubled down on their fast start when Lingard took the ball off Shokdran Mustafi, linked up superbly with Romelu Lukaku and Anthony Martial before finishing the move off himself on 11 minutes.

An end-to-end first-half saw Arsenal create plenty of chances, but fail to beat an inspired David de Gea in the opposition goal.

Arsene Wenger’s men did finally find a way past the Spaniard when Alexandre Lacazette scored shortly after the break, but Lingard scored a vital third just after the hour mark.

Paul Pogba was handed a straight red card after 74 minutes for a studs-up challenge on Hector Bellerin, but the visitors held on for the win in a thrilling contest.

The Pogba red was the only blot on the Red Devils’ copybook, as the Frenchman will now miss next weekend’s Manchester derby.

Fans notice irony in Pogba dismissal

Paul Pogba’s red card was just one of many talking points in the brilliant match between Arsenal and Manchester United on Saturday evening.

The Frenchman was dismissed in the 74th minute of the breathless encounter for a studs-up challenge on Arsenal right-back Hector Bellerin, just 11 minutes after his excellent assist allowed Jesse Lingard to score his second of the night and put United 3-1 up.

It was unsavoury ending to the night for Pogba, who had been fantastic during the end-to-end evening in north London.

And with the midfielder now set to miss the next three games, including the Manchester derby at Old Trafford next weekend, fans were quick to spot the irony in his dismissal.

Manchester United move to within five points of Manchester City with their win, who play tomorrow, but will be without Pogba for next weekend's derby. The Red Devils looked shaky at times and were fortunate with the result, though they too deserve credit for some spectacular performances in attack.

19:28

A stat worth shouting about for United.

They’ve got the better of their old rivals more times than any other team in the Premier League.

What a way to do it today!

19:27

Arsenal's 12-match winning run at home in the Premier League comes to a close but the Gunners were unfortunate to be on the losing side today. Whilst they were guilty of defensive mistakes, which were ultimately the difference, Wenger's side were spectacular in attack. On another game they could have got five or six and it's clear today simply wasn't their day. Whilst it's a bitter blow, an inquest shouldn't follow and there's plenty of positives to take.

19:25

FULL-TIME! You could play that game 100 times again and get 100 different outcomes. Manchester United are the victors after taking advantage of three defensive mistakes from the Gunners, with goals from Jesse Lingard and Antonio Valencia. Arsenal got one back through Alexandre Lacazette and saw a decent chance for a penalty turned down, while Paul Pogba was sent off and will miss the Manchester derby.

19:24KEY EVENT

FT All over! United win 3-1!

And breathe.

What a ridiculous 90 minutes of football.

Lingard’s double proved to be the difference on the pitch, but there was so much more to talk about.

Full reaction to come.

(Image: Action Images via Reuters)

19:2290+3 minsminute by minute

Final change of the game for Manchester United, with Young replaced by Marcus Rashford.

19:2190+1 minsminute by minute

Arsenal have been made to pay for defensive mistakes but they certainly haven't played in a way that suggests they deserve to lose this match. A mixture of bizarre incidents, spectacular saves from De Gea and a poor refereeing decision have certainly played their part.

19:1989 minsminute by minute

PENALTY SHOUT! Again an appeal for a penalty as Rojo lunges in on Lacazette. You've seen them given but it would have been a tad harsh.

19:1888 minsminute by minute

PENALTY SHOUT! Was that the moment for Arsenal? Ozil plays Welbeck through and he cuts back, sent to ground following the challenge from Darmian. It's the first big decision that the referee has got wrong today and it could be decisive.

19:1890 minsSTATS

Overall Possession Ratio

Possession

19:1889 minsminute by minute

There's an argument in the wake of that decision, with Herrera entering the book after arguing with Alexis.

19:1889 minsminute by minute

Alexis is also booked for his part in that incident.

19:1687 minsminute by minute

Yellow card for Koscielny, who hauled Lukaku to ground on the halfway line. He was the last man but it's not quite a clear cut opportunity as it's a long way out.

19:1484 minsminute by minute

Manchester United have shut up shop following Pogba's dismissal and Arsenal look unable to claw their way back into the game. They do dominate possession though and all it takes is one chance...

19:13

Manchester City fans are getting excited at the thought of a derby next week without Paul Pogba on the pitch.

The decision was probably the right one from referee Andre Marriner.

It was studs up and late on Hector Bellerin.

(Image: AFP)

19:1282 minsminute by minute

SAVE! Welbeck's shot takes a deflection and loops towards goal, where De Gea tips over the bar. From the resulting corner, Alexis' delivery is very poor.